2022 Faculty Courses School of Science Department of Physics Graduate major in Physics
Advanced Special Lectures in Physics XXXXV
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Physics
- Instructor(s)
- Class Format
- Lecture (Livestream)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - Intensive
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- PHY.P685
- Number of credits
- 100
- Course offered
- 2022
- Offered quarter
- 3Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
Supersymmetry is one of the important notion in particle physics. It appears in many areas not only in particle physics but also theoretical physics and mathematical physics. In this lecture, we focus on the quantum properties of supersymmetric field theory, which are reachable exactly via supersymmetry, and discuss defects which are objects to clarify the properties. After outlining the basics of quantum field theory and supersymmetry, we understand the low energy behavior of four-dimensional supersymmetric gauge theory. In the latter half, we discuss the supersymmetric defects and its relation with mathematical physics, especially integrable system. By these, we aim for an exact understanding of the quantum field theory.
Course description and aims
- understand the notions of symmetry and renormalization group in quantum field theory
- understand the quantum behaviors of supersymmetric field theory
- understand the behaviors of defects in supersymmetric field theory
Keywords
Quantum Field Theory, Symmetry, Supersymmetry, Defect, Integrable system
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Mainly in the format of lectures.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction | Understand renormalization flows |
| Class 2 | Symmetry and Anomaly | Understand symmetries in quantum field theories and anomalies. |
| Class 3 | Supersymmetry and Representations | Understand supersymmetry and its representations. |
| Class 4 | Super Yang-Mills Theory | Understand a low-energy effective theory of four dimensional supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory |
| Class 5 | Supersymmetry QCD | Understand low-energy effective theories of four-dimensional QCD and Argyres-Douglas theories. |
| Class 6 | Defects | Understand different defects in four-dimensional field theories. |
| Class 7 | Superconformal Index | Understand how to calculate the superconformal index. |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None.
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Some reference materials will be distributed in the lectures.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Graded based on assignments.
Related courses
- PHY.Q433: Field Theory I
- PHY.Q434: Field Theory II
Prerequisites
Audiences are assumed to be familiar with quantum mechanics and elementary parts of quantum field theory.